I never failed to fill one. She was given permission to leave the Soviet Union in 1929 and went to Japan in the same year. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Discover Alexandra Tolstoy's favourite pieces and collaboration designs. Its the reason shes been selling off many of the fashion relics of her old life, first with a sale at her Chelsea home, and now with a newly launched website where her own cast-offs will be sold alongside those of other stylish women including stylist Martha Ward and creative director and store owner, Alex Eagle. Back then, people heard about the trips by word of mouth. Id only been to France on holiday, I didnt speak Russian and all my friends were on gap years in Thailand and India. Featuring a classic Fair Isle jumper, snood, and mittens, along with this season's most coveted knit; a tank top. I just had to pack my suitcase and I could go.'. I started Preloved by Alexandra Tolstoy with a friend we sell second-hand designer items via Instagram by doing this huge sale of my own clothes. personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to Someone who worked for us stole my jewellery and at first I was devastated because it was jewellery that I could sell to look after my children, I just thought this is the end, but actually you know Ive managed to survive and its fine. In 2008 Alexandra met Sergei, then one of Russias most influential men, who had bankrolled the Russian government; but, following Putins eradication of the oligarchy, and the disappearance of a $1 billion loan from the State to his bank which went under a year later, Sergei had to flee Russia in fear of his life, allegedly receiving death threats to himself and their children. She sent a cheque for 5,500 from her last clear out. Alexandra Tolstoy is leading a riding trip through Kyrgyzstan in June; from 3,598pp, full-board (ampersandtravel.com). I wanted to cleanse that whole phase of my life and get back to who I really was, she says of her decision to sell off her designer wares. Change the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the Settings & Account section. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. The next year, I took a trip to Kyrgyzstan, which is better suited to riding because its mountainous and beautiful, and the horses are wonderful. We became addicted to travelling in this way. Now I embrace embroidery, vintage Fair Isle knitwear from eBay and clothes by the Russian designer Russmotive, which reprints old fabric designs. It took me two years to really look at these things, and think this was really not you and I dont even like these things, she explains, switching in a breath from cheerfully recounting her incredible memories to her voice crackling with the stress and anxiety of rebuilding her life. Estimate: 2,000-2,500. 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Anne-Jessica Faure, a lawyer for Mr Pugachev, said there has been no court decision establishing financial wrongdoing by him. I led them, with Shamil, from Bukhara to Samarkand, and it was a success. I think that probably this business partner had been the brains, and Sergei had been the power broker, Despite the tumult of threats, financial loss, and romantic decline, complicated with the duty of raising small children, Alexandra seems at harmony with her present situation, and this is thanks to her newly unostentatious lifestyle that of the billionaires wife just didnt suit her: My whole confidence got so smashed when I was with him; he was so very manipulative, very denigrating about my riding, my exhibitions, my travel and so, I began to focus on all these things which a normal kind of oligarchs girlfriend would focus on. When he fled to France in 2015, I ultimately felt such relief. Authorities froze his assets, put him on Interpol's wanted list and obtained a court order in Britain forcing him to hand over his passports. But I like nice things and comforts, and I find nothing difficult about camping. organisation Many of them met at the "Aunt Sasha" 90th anniversary in 1974. Theyre really works of art, some things I didnt do totally wrong.. Having momentarily enjoyed the luxuries of a billionaire lifestyle, shes now entirely without financial support from Sergei, retains no luxuries from their marriage, and has sold all of the designer clothes, bags and shoes shed once owned: but she says shes all the happier because of it. I remember the first time I arrived in Paris in jeans and a pair of Ugg boots. The pair soon enlisted Burns help. For a full comparison of Standard and Premium Digital, click here. 1,514 posts. Brora x Alexandra Tolstoy. It was the love story of my life, and it did feel dangerous he was this very powerful person, and he did turn on me sometimes in the early days, but there was this drama of winning him back round; I didnt realise that this was all very dangerous abusive pattern., Alexandra believes Sergei spun a false narrative to malign her and distract from his own culpability for the disastrous failure of his business interests; particularly, Sergei blames his downfall on the fact that Putin supposedly disliked his marriage to a foreigner, which she frustratedly contests: Its a very narcissistic thing to do; he made up this whole narrative [in the documentary] which suited its all about belittling me, and by saying that particularly to his close family it gave them a narrative that it was my fault that everything had gone wrong for him; he blamed it on me, saying that Putin didnt like me. A year later, they met again at an awards ceremony attended by the Russian president. Please, She married an Uzbek horseman and rode the length of the Silk Road; lived the oligarch lifestyle with Putins banker; and now leads intrepid group tours of the Stans, A Kyrgyz camp in Naryn region, Kyrgyzstan, Yasnaya Polyana, Leo Tolstoys former redoubt. I just get on and do things; I cant sit around doing nothing. Since splitting from Pugachev, Tolstoy has been rediscovering not only her sense of adventure, but her true style. A set of 12 hand-coloured engravings of botanical specimens, 19th century. The aristocratic beauty, 46, and her three children,Alexei, Ivan and Maria, were evicted from the south London mansion during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic after reportedly being given just 12 days notice by the Russian government, who repossessed the property. Alexandra on horseback in Kyrgyzstan. I love decorative art - it adds to the layering of a home - and again these were the perfect colours for our home. We're excited to be offered a peek into the world of Alexandra Tolstoy. She sent a cheque for 5,500 from her last clear out. [1][2][3], The youngest daughter of Leo Tolstoy (18281910) and of his wife Sophia (18441919), Alexandra was close to her father. VASLII BEREZHNOI. cookies Any changes made can be done at any time and will become effective at the end of the trial period, allowing you to retain full access for 4 weeks, even if you downgrade or cancel. "The Scottish cupboard lined with striped fabric by Colefax. Discover Alexandra Tolstoy's favourite pieces and collaboration designs. Follow. Fly to Bishkek with Aeroflot (aeroflot.com). In 1901, at the age of seventeen, she became his secretary. Now I embrace embroidery, vintage Fair Isle knitwear from eBay and clothes by the Russian designer Russmotive, which reprints old fabric designs. It was my friends dream to do it and I hooked onto it. Once old enough to do his bidding, she served as the right hand of her father, adoring him and making the logistics of his life work. Its a safari-type adventure; we stay in the most beautiful locations. Compare Standard and Premium Digital here. The smaller two: 19 in (48 cm) and 24 in (61 cm) high. I fell so in love with him. I thought I had to be someone else, I thought I had to be like those girls. Alexandra Tolstoy's Instagram: @alexandratolstoy Simon Brown 1/8 Two rows of botanical prints and antique celadon vases on plinths help to break up the height of this lofty, light-filled space on the first floor. Alexandra is passionate about Russia; her lifestyle, home and wardrobe reflect as such. Search instead in. Tolstaya became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1941, abandoning the use of the title of countess. Shop Alexandra TolstoysPreloved edit here, For more news, analysis and advice from The Telegraph's fashion desk,click hereto sign up to get our weekly newsletter, straight to your inbox every Friday. It is also incredibly practical - it doesnt slip on the wooden floor and my children played on it everyday! Inside the sad decline of 'Fairy Floss Girl': How the racegoer who shot to fame when Kyle Sandilands gushed that Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris issue a grovelling apology on The Project after backlash for laughing along with Man dies 'after being shot at home': Police Scotland hunt 'gunman' as they appeal for information. Alexandra's Russian heritage was also crucial for determining the schemes, and drove much of the eclectic, pattern-filled decoration. Back then, people heard about the trips by word of mouth. The broadcaster, author and businesswoman Alexandra Tolstoy has beautiful taste in interiors - here at House & Garden we've featured her fairytale cottage in Oxfordshire as well as her Chelsea house. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Amid it all she has continued to build her collection of vintage pieces from all corners of the globe. ", "The paintings of Indian palaces. Its a very visually stimulating religion., A Russian painted pine model of the Trinity Monastry of St. Sergius, c. 1900. I was fascinated to know whether, in a contrary sense, this had prepared her and the children for lockdown, as shed already become so accustomed to feeling great isolation, especially in their French chteau, which was sort of isolation anyway. She had - still has - the English Rose looks to match; subtly tanned from hours of outdoor pursuits, rosy cheeks and often wearing her blonde hair in Heidi plaits or tied up with a scarf. The Italian models of buildings in Pisa worked in perfect harmony amongst the photos on this table. Mothers share the things they want to remember this time around - including going to the tip, picking up craft supplies and having acrylic nails taken off, Britain's first blind and deaf trainee medic reveals she's spent 'more time as a patient than a doctor-to-be' during a nightmare year where she was made homeless and spent three months in hospital. In 2018, I returned after eight years away. I say how I find so much more satisfaction in accumulating individuals pieces and creating ones own eclectic aesthetic, which she certainly concurs: I totally agree! Like how she began wearing blingy designer trainers. Alexandra Tolstoy wearing a Dolce & Gabbana dress now listed for 290 on her website Credit: Courtesy of Alexandra Tolstoy 'I wanted to cleanse that whole phase of my life and get back to. Selling her designer clothes and handbags allowed her to start again, and to be herself. Her life with Pugachev took her away from all that, and transported her into a life where designer trainers were in, collections of Chanel handbags were vast and vintage market buys were out. Pugachev once owned two major shipyards, the world's biggest mine and large chunks of real estate in Moscow and St Petersburg, as well as the Mezhprombank, which he co-founded in the 1990s. Tolstoy also wanted to show support for the small labels she loves to wear now, so theres also a section with exclusive discounts for Alex Gore Brownes knitwear, Pink City Prints Indian-influenced cotton pieces and O Pioneers Laura Ashley-esque dresses. As the eldest of author and historian Count Nikolai Tolstoy and his wife Georginas four children, her childhood in the countryside was as wholesome, homespun and Mitfordian U as they come. 10:55 EST 03 Nov 2020 Being in that landscape makes your senses alert. I have a lot of energy. . As the partner of a Russian oligarch, Countess Alexandra Tolstoy had an envy-inducing wardrobe, as she dressed the part in haute couture gowns accessorised with diamonds and designer handbags. Sergei, who left Russia in 2011, claims that relations between him and Putin cooled, due to his relationship with the Russian leader calling him a 'traitor' for dating 'English woman' Alexandra, the Kremlin tried to seize or destroy his business empire. Tolstoy is alluding to the discomfort which these indulgences eventually came to signify for her, leading her away from her instinctive style and appreciation for tradition towards a struggle to fit in and conform to being the sort of woman Pugachev and his circle expected. The mansion was purchased by her ex-partner and the father of her children, Sergei Pugachev, 57, who was once dubbed 'the Kremlins banker' and was close to Vladimir Putin but fell into disfavour and was labelled a traitor by the Russian president. If youd like to retain your premium access and save 20%, you can opt to pay annually at the end of the trial. Enjoy browsing and do email us if you have any questions! She could choose whatever she wanted. With Sergei, I lived in this new Russian way but I hated it. I went quite street. 797 following. The next year, I took a trip to Kyrgyzstan, which is better suited to riding because its mountainous and beautiful, and the horses are wonderful. It was on that trip that I met my former husband, Shamil Galimzyanov, an Uzbek horseman. ", The house, though small, was designed to work well for entertaining, but also as a space where Alexandra's children could play and be comfortable. The industry is completely different now. The Russians then accused him of profiting from vast sums of taxpayers' money given to Mezhprombank by the Russian central bank at the height of the 2008 economic crisis. Were still in touch now. Royal Geographical Society in London that first got me into leading tours. At The Tolstoy Edit, we are happy to share with you our favourite finds for the home; antiques, as well as occasional newer pieces, curated by Alexandra Tolstoy, the adventurer and writer. [4] Although Alexandra shared her father's belief in non-violence, she felt it was her duty to take part in the events of the First World War and served as a nurse on the Turkish and German fronts. Later, while living and working in Moscow, she met Sergei Pugachev, with whom she would have three children. Subconsciously, I got quite in awe of all those Russian girls in that world. Everything weve got I feel is in its own right very unusual and special.. It is not dated and is a little unusual and quirky with the beaded detail. FILTER Showing 23 products Cashmere Folk Fair Isle Jumper 495 259 Sign up for the latest news, offers and styles, Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device, The Tolstoy Edit x SJ Axelby Interior Portraits, choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. You can still enjoy your subscription until the end of your current billing period. Estimate: 2,000-3,000. Healthy mother-of-two, 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class. But, Alexandras presently unassuming country lifestyle, or, indeed, the life of adventure in her earlier years, is miles from the shrouded world of Russian high society, and from the 200-acre estate in Hertfordshire and $40 million beach-front Caribbean villa she recently enjoyed with her husband, whose fortune went from $15 billion to $70 million and now refuses to give her and the children even a penny. When I came back, I switched my university course from philosophy to Russian at Edinburgh. Influenced by Alexandra's Russian heritage and many years of travel on horse across Central Asia, The Tolstoy Edit embraces folk traditions and craftsmanship with their love of colour, pattern and texture. Privacy Policy, Three North European decorated and painted lidded jars, mid-19th century, Alexandra Tolstoy: An Interior by Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, A set of 12 hand-coloured engravings of botanical specimens, 19th century, now offering some of its contents for sale at Christies, George Smart, A pair of Regency cut-felt collage pictures of, a trio of decorated and painted lidded jars, a mid-20th-century English oak and brass desk, A Russian painted pine model of the Trinity Monastry of St. Sergius, c. 1900. Influenced by Alexandra's Russian heritage and many years of travel on horse across Central Asia, The Tolstoy Edit embraces folk traditions and craftsmanship with their love of colour, pattern and texture. In 2009, our rst child was born. I very much hope that these pieces will find a new home and be equally enjoyed.'. My mother comes from a big family of seven and they made all their own clothes, bread and yoghurt. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. It was quite a dramatic change from not wanting to be Russian to being proud of my heritage. Premium Digital includes access to our premier business column, Lex, as well as 15 curated newsletters covering key business themes with original, in-depth reporting. She has also added a section dedicated to her favourite brands - including Pink City Prints, Pioneers and Alex Gore Browne - offering discounts on each with a special code. He claims he is being targeted because of his knowledge of state secrets. Were Russian Orthodox, which is why we have a lot of icons, Tolstoy explains. It has since been pursuing Sergei Pugachev through the High Court claiming he illegally siphoned hundreds of millions of pounds from the government bailout of the Mezhprombank. Riding the length of the Silk Road in 1999, from the ruins of Merv, in Turkmenistan, to Xian, in China, set off this whole apocalyptic adventure or perhaps I should say misadventure. After nearly 11 years, however, Tolstoy is moving on from the home she has so lovingly put together, and is now offering some of its contents for sale at Christies. When writing about the house for House & Garden, our former editor Susan Crewe wrote, 'I would describe Alexandras look as couture ethnic because of her passion for texture, pattern and embroidery, and one look at her Instagram profile will leave you in no doubt that colour plays a vital part in her life.'. Them, with whom she would have three children hooked onto it Russmotive which... 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